The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-31
PRESBYTERIANS REPUDIATING THE
WESTMINSTER CONFESSION.

Truth is said to be found at the bot
tom of well. 1t is also sometimes
found in other unexpected places. Who
would have thought decade of years
ago to find strong and fearless pro
test in the columns of that staid Pres
byterian journal, the Ne,o York EUan-
gelist, against the Westminster Confess
sion of Faith But times change, and
happily the majority of the good people
Of the world also change with them.
The letter which we print below is
found in the Evangelist, drawn out by
the late controversy between DR.. H. M.
Field, the editor of that paper, and Col.
Robert G.. Ingersoll. This notable letter
from ruling elder in the Presbyterian
church, is another evidence that the
spirit of progress is making its way into
the Presbyterian body. 1t is also a
we'll considered plea for honesty in
creed subscription in that church. 1t
is positively refreshing to have the an
tiquated devilishness of the Westmins-
ter Confession branded in a Presbyte-
rian journal as "a stumbling block"
and "a hindrance" to the Christian life
of the good Presbyterians, who have so
long and vigorously defended this an
Gent formula of unchristian belief.
This letter is an evidence also that the
crushing use which IngersOll made of
this confession in his reply to DR.. Field,
which Presbyterians have declared ''sa-
tanic in ability"-is already bearing
fruit. Verify the world moves. But
to the letter
To the Editor of the Ne,o York Evangelist:
DEAR SIR:-I have read with interest
the letter in the Evangelist of September
is, quoting the Confession of Faith, and
likewise your reply to it. Very few will
be disposed to take issue with DR.. Field
in his statement that he "never heard of
any Christian teacher who said that the
Creator brought beings into the world to
destroy them" But the Confession of
Faith, if understand the English lam
guage, states just that; and fail to com
prehend how you can speak of ga posi-
BILE Interpretation" or construction" of
such plain, unequivocsl words. just as
soon, it seems to me, might you speak
of the fact of two and two making four
as possibly bearing some other construc.
ton. No, 1--WE are not called upon to JUS
tify every doctrine taught or every form
of expression used long before we came
into the world" but think we are call
ed upon not to sail under false colors.
Is it not reasonable for a person to turn
to the Confession of Faith TO see what
Presbyterians believe; and can we find
fault with Ingersoll or any one else who
brings this up against us? The Comics
sion Of Faith is a hindrance to the cause
of Christ, and stumbling. block to many
a one. That so many are indolent or
Indifferent enough to be ignorant of
what it teaches does not alter the case.
We ought not to be hampered by Con
fession of a past generation teaching
doctrines which we, basing our faith on
Gods Word, cannot believe.
1 know Of some good Christian b eth
rem who have been deferred from accept
ing the office of elder because they could
not hold office conseientiously under the
teaching of such doctrines. When called
to the eldership myself, l made similar
objections; and my pastor overcame my
scruples by saying that as 1 accepted
the general teaching of the Confession, I